Magic Children

Chapter 39 Lyons, Colorado - Angel

I see her in the street before I even know it's her. I'm still focusing on the radios. I don't want to believe she could be one of them there, running. Most are running away and seeking cover as the storm sirens go off. But it's okay. She knows I'm the storm. She knows.

"I missed you so much," I catch Aurora up in my arms and spin her around in the middle of that dusty street. The sun is hot overhead, even as actual storm clouds gather. And she's here and real and warm in my arms. She presses her face into my neck and sobs.

"I'm so so sorry, I've tried to get back to you," I say, hugging her as tight as I can so that I'll never have to let her go.

"What happened?" she asks, putting her cool hands on my face.

"Nothing that matters now," I say.

"They caught you?"

"Yes, I'm so sorry," I say, pressing my forehead against hers, "And they're coming for me again. I'm sorry. But I needed to make sure you were okay and knew I'd come for you."

"Of course I did---I'm fine," she says, tears in her sweet eyes.

"Arthur is coming for me. I need to stop him. And the police, then I'll come for you," I say, petting her hair out of her face. It's shorter than she used to have it, I like it.

"Why? Why are you fighting him?" she asks.

"Because he's the one who turned me in; he's why I couldn't come to you, why they caught me," I explain, "Go, I won't harm you, but you should hide."

"Angel no---what's your plan? What are you going to do? They'll just keep coming," she says, her voice shaking.

"I'm going to destroy them. Then we'll go away together," I say.

"Where? Where do you think we can go after this?" she asks, her voice choking.

"We'll run forever, I'll protect you forever---if that's what you want," I say, frowning.

"I'm going to love you forever. That's why I'm telling you to run away and escape now," she says.

"If you love me, you'll come with me," I say, feeling tears in my own eyes.

"Love is stronger than this moment, I will always love you and want you to be free, and trust that someday we'll see each other again," she says.

"I'm tired of waiting for someday," I say. There are sirens now. They're getting closer. Closer and closer. Our stolen moments are running out---no. No we have forever now. No more waiting.

"Angel, I was pregnant when we parted," she says.

"What?" I ask despite the clarity of her statement. "You---why didn't—"

"Arthur didn't tell you?" she asks, sadly.

"He dies today," I say, kissing her forehead one more time, "Go to the child now. Trust me."

"Angel---"

"Go—" I warp her back down the street behind the police line. Sam and Arthur are strolling down the street towards me. Sam in a three piece suit looking stiff and somewhat burnt, that amuses me. And Arthur's hair is long and he's wearing a colorful shirt and gold coat. They push past the police line.

"This is really how you want to die Sammy?" I ask, shaking my head.

"POLICE, LIE DOWN ON THE GROUND WITH YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HEAD OR YOU WILL BE ELECTROCUTED."

"Go for it," Arthur says, turning and facing the line of electric guns.